CHAPTER 1
Effect and Application of Laws
Article 1. This Act shall be known as the "Civil Code of
the Philippines." (n)
Article 2. Laws shall take effect after fifteen days
following the completion of their publication in the Official
Gazette, unless it is otherwise provided. This Code shall
take effect one year after such publication. (1a)
Article 3. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from
compliance therewith. (2)
Article 4. Laws shall have no retroactive effect, unless
the contrary is provided. (3)
Article 5. Acts executed against the provisions of
mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void, except when
the law itself authorizes their validity. (4a)
Article 6. Rights may be waived, unless the waiver is
contrary to law, public order, public policy, morals, or
good customs, or prejudicial to a third person with a right
recognized by law. (4a)
Article 7. Laws are repealed only by subsequent ones,
and their violation or non-observance shall not be
excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary.
When the courts declared a law to be inconsistent with
the Constitution, the former shall be void and the latter
shall govern.
Administrative or executive acts, orders and regulations
shall be valid only when they are not contrary to the laws
or the Constitution. (5a)
CHAPTER 2
Human Relations (n)
Article 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his
rights and in the performance of his duties, act with
justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and
good faith.
1935 Constitution
Art. IV
SECTION 1. The following are citizens of
the Philippines:
(1) Those who are citizens of the
Philippine Islands at the time of the
adoption of this Constitution.
(2) Those born in the Philippine Islands of
foreign parents who, before the
adoption of this Constitution, had
been elected to public office in the
Philippine Islands.
(3) Those whose fathers are citizens of
the Philippines.
(4) Those whose mothers are citizens of
the Philippines and, upon reaching
the age of majority, elect Philippine
citizenship.
(5) Those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.
SEC. 2. Philippine citizenship may be lost
or re-acquired in the manner provided by
law.
1973 Constitution
Art. III
SECTION 1. The following are citizens of
the Philippines:
(1) Those who are citizens of the
Philippines at the time of the adoption
of this Constitution.
(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines.
(3) Those who elect Philippine citizenship
pursuant to the provisions of the
Constitution of nineteen hundred and
thirty-five.
(4) Those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.
1987 Constitution
Art. IV
SECTION 1. The following are citizens of
the Philippines:
(1) Those who are citizens of the
Philippines at the time of the adoption
of this Constitution;
(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are
citizens of the Philippines;
(3) Those born before January 17, 1973,
of Filipino mothers, who elect
Philippine citizenship upon reaching
the age of majority; and
(4) Those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.